Review: ‘The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again’
With three identical cousins, love triangles, and an attempt at treason, The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again is a fabulous addition to a franchise that should continue, a new Vanessa Hudgens added each time.
What could possibly be better than two Vanessa Hudgens? The answer to that, obviously, is three. The newest Netflix original future Christmas classic is a smashing switcheroo with three identical cousins, love triangles, and treason. The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again is just as bad, in the most perfect way that it can be, as its predecessor. I know that the Christmas Prince franchise has quite the fan base, but I would argue that the Princess Switch franchise is far superior.
This sequel follows American Vanessa Hudgens, Stacy, and her new husband, the prince of Belgravia, as they make their way to Montenaro to see the coronation of British Vanessa Hudgens, her cousin Margaret. There’s only one problem: Margaret and Stacy’s best friend, Kevin, have broken up, and Stacy is determined to get them back together with the help of his daughter Olivia. To give Margaret more time to spend with Kevin once they arrive, the two decide to switch places again. Which does not make a whole lot of sense in reality, but it does make the movie endlessly fun, which is the reason we are here in the first place.
Enter: Third Vanessa Hudgens. Another British Hudgens, named Fiona, except this one has long blonde hair and two henchmen who pickpocket for her. She is immediately loveable, and of course, she kidnaps Stacy who is pretending to be Margaret, and then pretends to be Margaret herself so that she can try to steal the crown and thus, the royal family’s money. It’s 97 minutes of pure, absurd fun. Which is exactly what Netflix does best.
We could spend time picking this movie apart, but that would take away the point of the franchise, and Netflix Christmas films as a whole. While Hallmark movies serve to spread their wealthy, conservative heterosexual propaganda, Netflix Christmas movies really are here for a good time and a long time. Cheesy Vanessa Hudgens romantic comedies are a source of bonding amongst all generations. They’ve really got it all, and we cannot fault the plot holes and inconsistencies when these movies are here to make us happy and nothing more.
The aspects that have been on my mind quite a bit though since the initial viewing are as follows: the set and the lack of baking. These sets are unreal. Every moment in the palace, I want to know how on Earth the filmmakers had the budget for so many Christmas decorations, or if these were put in during post-production. Margaret really loves Christmas and you can tell because every single room is covered, head-to-toe, in decorations, all of which has supposedly been put up within a day by only herself, Stacy, Prince Edward, Kevin, and Olivia. Margaret’s room is also decorated top to bottom in decor, and this is a Christmas movie; however, I do feel like a real royal would keep it expensive, yet simple. When Margaret and Kevin walk into the kitchen, the table is already covered with homemade food. When did they have time to cook all that and why is it not being stored in the refrigerator?
Now, this sequel is more about the love story of Margaret and Kevin, causing Stacy’s love of baking to get lost in the midst of those proceedings. The first film was all about her dreams of winning the baking contest, which is how we ended up in Belgravia in the first place. It would have been nice for Stacy to have found a way to continue her passions while serving as the princess alongside her husband. She seems to have given up all that makes her herself for this role and for her husband, and it’s a shame that there was no sign of that side of her life. Kevin carries on their business in Chicago, but it would have really tied everything together nicely to have a nod to the events of the first film.
With that being said, many laughs were had, and my heart swelled for the happy couples. Fiona was lovable, even with her evil scheming. A joy to be had by all, The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again is a fabulous addition to a franchise that should continue, a new Vanessa added each time. – Taylor Hunsberger
Rating: 4/5
The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again is currently streaming on Netflix.